# Melaninterest — Inspiring Black Women > Online directory for melaninated individuals to find culturally relevant content. (iPhone/iPad app by Gail Stepney.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/melaninterest/id1533548766 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Gail Stepney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1533548768) - Category: Lifestyle, Social Networking - Price: Free - Rating: 4.40/5 from 537 App Store ratings · 50 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 11.0 · 38 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2020-09-30 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/melaninterest/id1533548766/reviews.md ## What is Melaninterest? Melaninterest was created in order to serve our culture online. In today’s day and age, most technology apps have algorithms that do not serve our community. Usually in searches, you have to add “black girl“ and even then the results are underwhelming. We have a solution for that. Melaninterest’s purpose is to create an online directory that allows melaninated individuals a way to easily find content that serves them. ## Key features - Culturally relevant online directory - Content discovery for melaninated individuals - Improved search results - Community-focused algorithms - Dedicated online space ## What do users think of Melaninterest? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Representation of Black people - 🚀 Innovative concept - 💡 Opportunity for Black creators - 🤍 Supportive of Black-owned businesses **Cons** - 🐛 Glitches and bugs - 💸 Excessive ads and pop-ups - 🤯 Confusing navigation and user interface - 🔍 Limited search functionality **Commonly reported bugs** - Inability to post or upload content - Freezing and crashing issues - Inconsistent performance across devices **Most requested features** - Improved organization and layout - Ability to save and share posts - More categories beyond just fashion and beauty - Better profile customization options ## Recent user reviews (10 of 50) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/melaninterest/id1533548766/reviews.md ### 1/5 — UR A LIE OF U GIVE THIS APP 5 STARS *2021-09-06, version 2.1* I love to support products made for blk people but this one literally is the worst. I downloaded it and within two minutes I was forced to watch 3 ads. I rather use Pinterest, at least the ads on that app are more subtle. I can’t even scroll or click on a picture without an ad popping up. This app is anything but convenient for black people. ### 1/5 — Pop-up ads are just not it. *2021-07-13, version 2.1* Incredibly irritating, which is super disappointing considering how much hope I had in this app. If y’all are in need of money you’re gonna have to find a different way soon, because I can’t imagine this app being successful in the long term with pop-up ads, on top of the execution issues that were already present. I was willing to live with some of the glitches for the time being just because of how rewarding the imagery on the app was for me, and because I understand that a project on this scale must be difficult to manage. I loved the concept of the app and the content I was seeing on it, but I just can’t use an app with those ugly and annoying pop-up ads. I’ll check in again at some other time to see if anything changes and I’ll amend my review in that case, and if it doesn’t change I’ll just have to let this app go. ### 2/5 — Omg, please fix this… *2021-07-02, version 2.1* I rarely post reviews but I support this app for us. This app has so much potential, but the ads are just ridiculous. Please take notes from Pinterest and put the ads within the posts. Cause them pop up ads ain’t the move at all. It’s annoying to the point I just deleted the app. I will check back in a few months to see if there has been any changes or updates. Until then take the time to fix the bugs and glitches so it can be more easily navigated and user friendly. I hope the developers are really taking feedback into account to make this app be successful. We need this app. ### 4/5 — Why so many ads *2021-06-26, version 2.1* I understand that there needs to be ads but why so many back to back? Can’t really enjoy this beautiful app ### 4/5 — The *2021-03-30, version 2.1* App is hard to use but I like the context and images. It’ll be easier if we can go back to the same home page after we click a pin (like Pinterest) ### 4/5 — Things need fixing!! *2021-03-30, version 2.1* The only reason this rating doesn’t have 5 stars is because ethos app NEEDS upgrading!! There are glitches! When I click on a photo to enlarge it from the Home Screen there is no swipe function to return back to Home Screen in the position I was scrolling in and the arrow bars to move back a forth btw pages DO NOT WORK! I’m not sure if it’s my phones compatibility with the system I have an iPhone SE 2020 and update my iOS every time there’s an upgrade so it not me. I would love if the interface was more colorful like I get it we’re black the app is for black women but must it remain so dreary looking?! WE NEED COLOR! I literally just downloaded it so I will keep reviewing as I find issues so please developers do something about my issues I’m tired of our stuff (black people stuff) constantly being sub par. The app content is AMAZING and I love that we have a space for us I really just want the apps greatness to reflect ours 😘❤️ CRITICISMS SENT WITH LOVE ❤️ ### 3/5 — Needs some fixes *2021-03-27, version 2.1* I love this idea, I love it’s just for blacks but an ad pops up every 5 seconds. It will even pop up without touching anything. It’s difficult to use and when you try to go back the page refreshes the whole page literally after every 5 seconds of pop up ads. Please get this fix. I would like to continue with this app ### 2/5 — Love the point of the app but needs work *2021-03-21, version 2.1* I find it extremely cool to see an app made for black people and how we can expand our creativity without having to search up things with the word black people needed to be included . However , this app still needs more room for improvement the settings are a little weird and hard to a manage . When I entered the app it was slow and I saw too many ads pop up . Although, those things did occur I do hope that they will be new updates soon ### 3/5 — Improvements. *2021-02-02, version 2.1* I enjoy the app! A dislike about the app is the constant ad pop-ups. Can the ad content be removed? Every time I share a post an ad pops up. Is there a way to re-share a post, without adding a title every time? ### 5/5 — Seeing People like me *2021-02-02, version 2.1* Happy to see people like me. As with any app, it takes time to develop smooth logistics. With more users, it will get better with feedback ## Frequently asked questions about Melaninterest ### What is Melaninterest? Melaninterest is an online directory created to serve the Black community online. It aims to provide a dedicated space where melaninated individuals can easily find content that is relevant to them, overcoming the limitations of mainstream algorithms. ### How does Melaninterest improve search results? Unlike general platforms where users often need to add specific terms like 'black girl' to find relevant content, Melaninterest is built with algorithms designed to serve the Black community. This means users can expect more tailored and satisfying results without extensive searching. ### Is Melaninterest free to use? Yes, based on the provided information, Melaninterest is a free application. There are no mentions of subscription fees, in-app purchases, or advertisements. ### Who is the target audience for Melaninterest? The app is specifically designed for melaninated individuals who are looking for online content and resources that cater to their culture and community. It aims to be a go-to platform for discovering relevant material. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.2 — 2021-01-26 Melaninterest 2.2 has improvements such as: -Faster servers to support our explosive user growth. -Pull Down to fresh on home page to see a different page of pins. (Or you can click our logo at the top) -Navigation arrows so you can click back and forth. -No more banner ads at the bottom. ### 2.1 — 2021-01-20 Melaninterest 2.1 has improvements such as: -New design. -Faster servers to support our explosive user growth. -Pull Down to fresh on home page to see a different page of pins. (Or you can click our logo at the top) -Navigation arrows so you can click back and forth. -No more banner ads at the bottom. ### 2.0 — 2021-01-12 Melaninterest 2.0 has improvements such as: -New design. -Faster servers to support our explosive user growth. -Pull Down to fresh on home page to see a different page of pins. (Or you can click our logo at the top) -Navigation arrows so you can click back and forth. ### 1.1 — 2020-10-06 Melaninterest is much faster now! ### 1.0 — 2020-09-30 No release notes. ## Apps similar to Melaninterest | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Rent. 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Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*